[wtlwdwgn]

Got a thing for Saab Steve?

Yep, I sure did. All those years of having them serviced I figure I put most of the Saab dealer's guy's kids through college.

[Racer X 69]

OK, here goes.

My first car was a 1962 Chevrolet Impala wagon.

Then a 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle 2 door post. Came with a six cylinder engine, I transplanted the 283 V8 from the Impala wagon into it.

Next up, a 1965 Mercury Comet Caliente, red, 2 door hardtop. 289 V8, 3 speed full synchro manual with a Hurst Mystery Shifter.

A 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle 4 door. Six cylinder, 3 on the tree. Named it “The Stoker”, as it had a huge appetite for engine oil.

Then a 1965 Impala SS 396, Turbo 400 auto. Very fast. Got me lots of tickets, and a suspended license.

A Honda CL175 twin, don’t remember the vintage.

Traded the Impala for a 1966 VW 1300 Beetle. One of the most fun cars I ever owned.

Just after college I bought a 1978 Honda Hawk, brand new.

I bought a 1972 Camaro Sport Coupe from the second owner in 1979. I still have it, and one day soon will finish restoring it.

Then a 1963 Ford Econoline van, bright green with Cragar wheels. Actually I borrowed it from a friend and drove it for several years.

A 1972 Ford Maverick. It was a car passed around my family. My sister had it, then she left it with my mom, who gave it to me. After beating it for a few years I gave it to my kid brother.

After that a 1971 GMC 2500 with a 396 that had been converted to a 3500 dually. One of my uncles converted it to a dually, and then I think my mom's parents had it. Then my mom got it, and let me use it for a couple years. It was the first pickup to pull my race car around to meets.

Then I bought the race car. A 1971 Datsun 240Z. Been a race car since 1979. Still have that one too.

That began an obsession with the Datsun Z. A 1972 240Z I bought for my first wife, and she didn’t want to pay me for it so I kept it.

At one point I had 14 Datsun Z cars, 240, 280, and a 280ZX.

The 280ZX cost me $200, and a heater control valve. Drove it all over the West coast. Even once with my left foot in a cast, all the way to Sacramento from Seattle. And back.

I passed the GMC back to my mom, and picked up a 1975 Chevrolet C30 dually, 454 with a Turbo 400 tranny. Pass everything but a gas station. Hauled the race car more places than the GMC, but still cost a fortune to operate.

I replaced the C30 Chevy with a brand new 2001 Dodge Ram 3500 dually, Cummins diesel, NVG 6500 six speed manual. Pulls anything I hook it to and gets 17 to 20 miles to the gallon. In style. Heated leather seats, leather wrapped steering wheel, tilt column, cruise, power windows & door locks, a/c, Infinity 6 speaker sound system (oem!), 6 wheel drive. A Cowboy Cadillac.

A 2005 Subaru Legacy wagon, brand new. Still have it, over 177,000 miles.

My most recent addition is a 1995 Ford F-150 Eddie Bauer. Bought it from the oldest grandson for the automatic tranny. After my last foot surgery I needed something I could drive with one foot.

[lesmore49]

In my case, my first vehicle was a '65 Jawa 50cc bike.
Then a '65 125cc CZ roadster motorcycle.
After that another CZ 125cc, but a Sport model...larger wheels, tires. Excellent motorcycle. Sold to a dairy farmer who used it to herd his dairy cows.
Got a '65 Yamaha 250cc sports twin. YDS 3...9000 rpm, 28/6 hp, 5 speed..had a lot of zip for a 250 .
hen my first car, a '61 VW Beetle...great car, then a '67 Camaro coupe RS 327, 4 speed, then a 69 VW 1500 Beetle (19.4@ 68.5 mph in the 1.4) ..then a '64 VW, then a '65 Comet S 22, then a '62 Volvo PV 544s.

After that a '73 Toyota Corolla stripper, with oversize wheels, disc brakes, rubber mat floor...optional engine the 1500cc 'Hemi', 4 speed.

Bought a '76 Chevette 4 door, 4 speed, '81 Buick Skylark (X car), '81 Pontiac Phoenix 2 door (2.8 V6)...wonderful car, '76 Ford Granada 302, '76 Chevy Impala 350 V8 ( wonderful car) bought in '75, kept till '97.

Bought and factory ordered, a '89 Chev Cavalier wagon with 2.8 V6, HD/Performance suspension, Goodrich T/A tires...quite a sleepermobile as Car & Driver magazine called it in a review.

Then a '97 Astro (factory ordered)...4.3 Vortec V6, 3.4s, G 80 Eaton Locker drive axle, HD suspension...another wonderful vehicle. towed our trailer everywhere, used for ferrying the family everywhere. Tough, robust.

Then a '96 Oldsmobile Calais, then a '07 Toyota Matrix (less said about that the better)...then a '07 Buick LaCrosse...6 seater and 3.8 liter 90 degree Buick V6...still have and a great car. ..and finally 2015 Impala (new style) with the 3.6 liter V6...305 hp, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, 7000 rpm redline...great highway car...and GM drops the sedan lines.

Forgot...'67 Matchless Scrambler...desert sled motorcycle...750 Norton engine and a '78 Yamaha SR 500...'thumper' motorcycle.

Think that's it, Probably forgot something.

[cooltouch]

Very interesting, reading through these lists. You know, this is one list I've never made. So, I think I'll give it a shot. Shown more or less in chronological order, from my first car that I got back in about 1970.

1965 Volkswagen Beetle
1963 Ford F-100 Pickup
1962 Karmann Ghia
1968 Volkswagen Squareback
1965 Ford LTD
1971 Volkswagen Fastback
1972 Pontiac Bonneville
1960 Ford F-100 Pickup
1968 Pontiac Catalina
1963 Ford Falcon
1974 Jensen Healey
1976 Jensen GT
1978 Honda Civic
1990 Toyota Corolla
1993 Ford Ranger XLT
1987 Volvo 745Ti
1988 Volvo 765Ti
1984 Volvo 244Ti
1990 Volvo 764Ti
1998 Volvo V90
1997 Oldsmobile Aurora
2007 Volvo XC90

And if we add in motorcycles:

1981 Yamaha XS650
1987 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200
1976 BMW R90/6
1988 BMW R100RS
1974 Norton Commando 850
1977 Yamaha XS650
1980 Yamaha XS650
1970 Yamaha XS650
1978 Yamaha XS650

---

Last edited by cooltouch; 08-21-2019 at 05:18 PM.

[lesmore49]

And if we add in motorcycles:

1981 Yamaha XS650
1987 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200
1976 BMW R90/6
1988 BMW R100RS
1974 Norton Commando 850
1977 Yamaha XS650
1980 Yamaha XS650
1970 Yamaha XS650
1978 Yamaha XS650

Some nice BMW's. Remember the first time I saw a BMW R 90. It was at Loch Ness, Scotland at a B&B in 1977...rider was from Sweden. Very impressive motorcycle.

You're quite a fan of Yamaha 650's. Why so many ? BTW, I've always liked them, almost bought a '78 Yamaha 650, but got my '78 SR 500 instead, which I still have.

My '67 Matchless has a Norton 750 Atlas twin carb engine. I note you had a Norton Commando 850...how did you like it ?

Les

[cooltouch]

Some nice BMW's. Remember the first time I saw a BMW R 90. It was at Loch Ness, Scotland at a B&B in 1977...rider was from Sweden. Very impressive motorcycle.

You're quite a fan of Yamaha 650's. Why so many ? BTW, I've always liked them, almost bought a '78 Yamaha 650, but got my '78 SR 500 instead, which I still have.

My '67 Matchless has a Norton 750 Atlas twin carb engine. I note you had a Norton Commando 850...how did you like it ?

Les

Hey Les, I still own all the above motorcycles, except for the '81 and '70 XS650s.

I like the Norton Commando a lot. I've owned it for about 17 years now, and I've wanted one ever since I was a teenager, back when they were available new. You know, back in the day, the Commando was regarded as a rip-snorting super bike with few peers. It's amazing what a few decades can do regarding impressions. To me, my Commando is a decent performer, albeit somewhat on the sedate, dignified side.

I've always liked the BMW boxers. I actually bought the R90 and R100 within two weeks of each other. Both needed work, so I was able to pick them up for well below market. I repaired one and had the other repaired, then got them back on the road. It's hard comparing the two, though -- a bit like comparing a VW to an earlier Porsche. Both are air-cooled but that's about where the similarities end. The R100 is a hotrod, amazingly fast for its rather mild HP output. The R90 is a workhorse, a great road bike that just keeps going and going. It's my daily rider.

As for the XS650s, why do I own (or have I owned) so many? Hrm, ask your typical XS650 owner and I think you'll find they've owned several. I think one reason is because, for many years, you could pick them up for next to nothing. It's only been during the past few years that they seem to have appreciated much in value. I'll wager you can still find them for cheap, though. (I haven't looked lately) Another reason for their popularity is they are essentially reliable Brit twins. No oil leaks, no Prince of Darkness electronics. Now, as for why I still own three, well, one I just haven't sold yet, another is a cafe racer project, and the third is a parts bike.

[lesmore49]

Hey Les, I still own all the above motorcycles, except for the '81 and '70 XS650s.

I like the Norton Commando a lot. I've owned it for about 17 years now, and I've wanted one ever since I was a teenager, back when they were available new. You know, back in the day, the Commando was regarded as a rip-snorting super bike with few peers. It's amazing what a few decades can do regarding impressions. To me, my Commando is a decent performer, albeit somewhat on the sedate, dignified side.

I recall those days well. In the late '60's (before the Honda CB 750, Kawasaki 500 triple 2 stroker) the top of the performance heap in my town were the Royal Enfield 750 Interceptor ll, Bonneville, BSA Spitfire, variety of Norton's / Matchless with the 750 Atlas engine. The Commando when it came out was considered a superbike, even with the newer Kawa 500/750 triple, CB750, etc. I recall road tests with the Commando hitting the high 12's in the quarter mile and even more performance if you got the Stage ll option.

I've always liked the BMW boxers. I actually bought the R90 and R100 within two weeks of each other. Both needed work, so I was able to pick them up for well below market. I repaired one and had the other repaired, then got them back on the road. It's hard comparing the two, though -- a bit like comparing a VW to an earlier Porsche. Both are air-cooled but that's about where the similarities end. The R100 is a hot rod, amazingly fast for its rather mild HP output. The R90 is a workhorse, a great road bike that just keeps going and going. It's my daily rider.

I've always liked the BMW air cooled boxer twins . When I was an older teenager in the 1960's my dream was to go fro a grand tour of Northern Europe. At the time you could go over to the BMW factory and buy a BMW bike there, then ride off into the sunset. Rumour was that you could, buy and ship your new BMW back to North America...for about the same cost as buying a beemer in North America. My plan was to buy a 600 twin ride to the UK, Germany, Austria, France, Italy, etc...then ship it back to Canada. Never did.

As for the XS650s, why do I own (or have I owned) so many? Hrm, ask your typical XS650 owner and I think you'll find they've owned several. I think one reason is because, for many years, you could pick them up for next to nothing. It's only been during the past few years that they seem to have appreciated much in value. I'll wager you can still find them for cheap, though. (I haven't looked lately) Another reason for their popularity is they are essentially reliable Brit twins. No oil leaks, no Prince of Darkness electronics. Now, as for why I still own three, well, one I just haven't sold yet, another is a cafe racer project, and the third is a parts bike.

I keep my Matchless 750 and Yamaha SR 500 together in a large, locked shed. I keep a cake tin under the Norton engine crankcase to catch all that Castrol oil that leaks out. The Yamaha...no cake tin...no leak. I do recall the Prince of Darkness quite well. In the '70's a buddy had a '77 T140 750 Triumph Bonneville. Nice bike to ride, excellent handling and I did like that twin cylinder engine. But riding over a bumpy road at night usually meant the headlight cutting in and out and the Smiths speedo had a habit of when I was going 30 mph...of leaping ahead to 40 mph...then leaping backwards to 20 mph...all while I was going a constant 30 mph. I often wondered why Yamaha didn't bore out or stroke the 650 to 750 cc, but it was nice at 650.

Les

[cooltouch]

Well, Yamaha did make an XS750 -- and an XS850. Both were triples, though -- entirely different engines. The XS650 engine was actually a Hosk design, originally 500cc. Later Hosk designed a 650cc model. Shortly after that Hosk was acquired by Showa Corp, and some time after that, Yamaha bought out Showa, and wound up with the Hosk 650, which they decided to put into production. The XS750 and XS850 engines are Yamaha designs.

Now, having said all that, for years 750cc big bore kits have been available for the XS650. In fact, I bought one for my cafe project. MikesXS, a major supplier of parts for these old bikes, sells a complete new design 750cc kit for these bikes, with a redesigned cylinder head (the old "big bore" kits like what I bought supply sleeves that are pressed in to the existing cylinders). The advantage to the new cylinder head is it has a much expanded cooling fin area to better handle the higher temps the increased displacement generates.

I envy you your Yamaha SR 500. That's one bike I'd like to add to my stable one day.

[stemked]

2009 Subaru Outback. Great for camping, expensive maintenance.

[Kobie]

Yep, I sure did. All those years of having them serviced I figure I put most of the Saab dealer's guy's kids through college.

I'm on my second Saab now. Stage 1 tuned 2005 9-5 Aero with just over 200,000 miles (324,000kms).

[edom31]

Mine's a sad list...

1985 300ZX (Manual Transmission)
2011 Mazda3 (Manual Transmission)

Wife's:
2013 Subaru Legacy (Automatic Transmission)

I did spend about 15 years without a vehicle, commuting mass transit.

[Racer X 69]

I did spend about 15 years without a vehicle, commuting mass transit.

I don't know what I would do without wheels.

[Racer X 69]

2009 Subaru Outback. Great for camping, expensive maintenance.

Really?

Do tell.

Subarus are supposed to be good cars, cheap to own and operate. My 2005 Legacy wagon has cost me little more than fuel, oil and tires so far. Sure I replaced the timing belt at 100,000 miles, done some routine brake work, and when one of the wheel bearings went bad a few years back I replaced them all.

Otherwise it is gas n go.

[lesmore49]

Well, Yamaha did make an XS750 -- and an XS850. Both were triples, though -- entirely different engines.

I remember the XS 750/850 well. My BIL had one an XS 750 first year of production. The bike appealed to me, shaft drive, triple. He didn't keep it long, traded it in on an early model Suzuki GS 1000. He really liked the GS 1000, reliable, lots of power. I would sometime switch bikes with him...he would ride my SR 500, I would ride his GS 1000. On tight, many cornered gravel roads my 500 single would run away from the GS, however on pavement...nolo contendre. The GS 1000 would just accelerate away from the 500 single, once you got the GS revving. I recall taking his big Suzuki for a run and shifting at 8500 rpm, only first into second and running some in third.. . I recall thinking as I hit the brakes hard, wowsers...this thing has lots of juice...more than I can handle at WOT. He did a lot of travelling with it...Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, etc. He liked it as a sports tourer.

The XS650 engine was actually a Hosk design, originally 500cc. Later Hosk designed a 650cc model. Shortly after that Hosk was acquired by Showa Corp, and some time after that, Yamaha bought out Showa, and wound up with the Hosk 650, which they decided to put into production. The XS750 and XS850 engines are Yamaha designs.

Now, having said all that, for years 750cc big bore kits have been available for the XS650. In fact, I bought one for my cafe project. MikesXS, a major supplier of parts for these old bikes, sells a complete new design 750cc kit for these bikes, with a redesigned cylinder head (the old "big bore" kits like what I bought supply sleeves that are pressed in to the existing cylinders). The advantage to the new cylinder head is it has a much expanded cooling fin area to better handle the higher temps the increased displacement generates.

I've liked some of the style permutations available for the Yamaha 650 twin. I've sometimes thought a Yamaha 650 set up as a '60's ISDT bike, like Steve McQueen's /Bud EkinsTriumph 650 would be a nice look and probably very competent on/off road bike.

I envy you your Yamaha SR 500. That's one bike I'd like to add to my stable one day.

It's a nice bike. I'm still as happy having it now as when I first bought it new in 1978. It's an early production number and aside from a K&N air filter ...stock. One of these days, may have to replace the exhaust pipe with an aftermarket. Thinking a SuperTrapp.

I always wanted a big British single...500cc...Matchless CS, BSA Gold Star (I know, not likely), old Norton International. Well that never happened, so when Yamaha brought out the 500 single 4 stroke, I was smitten and got mine. I always have liked the way it handled and although kick starting at first was a problem, after I got the 'knack' by carefully read the starting instructions in the owner's manual.....I had no difficulty kick starting it. If you can get one, think you'd like it. It certainly has a lot of 'character'.

[monochrome]

Really?

Do tell.

Subarus are supposed to be good cars, cheap to own and operate. My 2005 Legacy wagon has cost me little more than fuel, oil and tires so far. Sure I replaced the timing belt at 100,000 miles, done some routine brake work, and when one of the wheel bearings went bad a few years back I replaced them all.

Otherwise it is gas n go.

The only failure we ever had on our 2004 Outback was a wheel bearing at 49,846 miles. Regular maintenance was routinely priced.